Clean Energy Council to update battery specs

Following the publishing of a new technical standard for batteries by Standards Australia in October 2025, the Clean Energy Council is advising businesses that manufacture, buy or install batteries to find out how the transition will affect them.

The new standard, SA TS 5398: Electrical Energy Storage Equipment – Safety Requirements (SA TS 5398), updates the requirements established under the Best Practice Guide: Battery Storage Equipment – Electrical Safety Requirements (Best Practice Guide). SA TS 5398 contains guidance for new technologies including lead acid batteries.

The Clean Energy Council will be phasing SA TS 5398 into requirements for the approved batteries list over two years to minimise disruption for industry, while ensuring products can align with new guidelines.

Key dates

• From 1 January 2026, the CEC has been accepting applications to join the approved batteries list under SA TS 5398 or the Best Practice Guide. Applications under the Best Practice Guide will be given an expiry date of no later than 31 December 2027, while applications under SA TS 5398 will be given an expiry date three years from the date the application is approved.
   
• In January 2026, expiry dates for existing battery listings approved under the Best Practice Guide were updated to expire no later than 31 December 2027.
   
• From 1 January 2027, the CEC will only accept applications under SA TS 5398.
   
• On 31 December 2027, any remaining batteries that were approved under the Best Practice Guide will expire from the approved products lists.
   

Importantly, the CEC noted that while SA TS 5398 is being gradually introduced into the requirements for its approved batteries list, other entities, including the Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council, Standards Australia, networks and government programs, may choose to align requirements with SA TS 5398 sooner.

The Clean Energy Council said it was talking to all these entities to align requirements where possible. It urged businesses and workers to ensure all relevant guidelines are followed when installing battery products.

Updated expiry dates for over 700 products can be found here: https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au/industry-programs/products-program/batteries/new-expiry-dates-batteries-ts5398.

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